We are so grateful for our favorite furry volunteers! For nearly 5 years, the Be An Angel Therapy Dog owners have been a steady volunteer presence at OCC. Twice a month like clockwork, the dogs eagerly await the buses arrival so they can greet their small humans. Naturally, fast friendships are formed since all “Be An Angel Therapy Dogs” have gentle and loving natures by virtue of also being registered Therapy Dogs.

Dog owners James and Debra Harsh have been volunteering at OCC since 2011. They reflect on sweet memories of our OCC kids loving on these pets describing the special bond formed between the dogs and many of the children. Debra shares,

“When the kids get off the bus, they remember – they come straight over and greet the dogs by name.”

On cold days, she said, the youngest of children cuddle with the dogs in their beds under the security of the giant sycamore tree in the picnic area. Other children simply pet the dogs during every moment of free time. The pets are a wonderful way to bring calm into the lives of our tempest-tossed OCC kids – if even for a few moments and the owners are blessed to be able to share their most treasured friendships.

Special thanks to our faithful friends at Be An Angel Therapy Dogs, what a blessing you have been to many hundreds of children.

It’s hard to summarize what God has been up to with the teenagers at OCC. As leaders, we make plans and have high hopes for specific things we think God will do in the year ahead. More often than not, it seems that his plans are different from ours. When I met with some of the other leaders toward the end of 2014, I knew I’d be taking on more responsibilities in the coming year. I’d be leading a breakout group in addition to the morning Bible studies, which would mean more studying and preparation during the week. I expected my faith to be both stretched and tested, and I expected to be a little exhausted, but I never thought I’d end 2015 with ten teenagers calling me “Mom.”

Our goal was to take a small step toward realizing the vision of having each middle and high school student in a small group where they could get more direct teaching, have the freedom to ask questions, and — most importantly — be known. We didn’t have enough leaders or space to start groups for everyone, but we also knew there was no use in sitting around waiting for better circumstances if God was saying “go.”

The plan was a good one: I would take a group of up to ten kids and start a group. I had already been helping to lead come-and-go Bible studies before the service on Saturdays, so I would hand-pick some of the regulars to ask about joining the breakout group to meet later in the morning.

For approximately two weeks, this plan worked beautifully. I prepared elaborate lessons that involved parallels and cross references between the Old and New Testament. The kids were calm, knowledgeable, and asked insightful questions. Then, some of the older teenagers started showing up and making things a little more chaotic. We quickly grew too large and split into two groups. Most of the more studious ones went with another leader, and I was left with a group that looked nothing like what I originally expected. They weren’t very excited about cracking open the Bible, their questions were all over the map, and I wasn’t quite sure why they kept coming back every week. Whatever the reason, I’m glad they stuck around, because they’re some of the greatest kids I know.

Each Saturday morning, they greet me with a chorus of “Mom! Moooom! You’re late!” as I chug what’s left of my coffee and hurry from my car to set up Bible study. Later, in breakout group, we spend time chatting, laughing, studying, and praying. We’re currently working our way through the Gospel of Matthew and getting to know who Jesus is according to the Bible as opposed to what we’re sometimes told about him. Group time is rarely organized, the lessons never go as I imagine they will, and we always get off topic. But I’ve learned to trust that God knows what the group needs better than I do.

In June we took a group trip to New Smyrna Beach, and my mom nervously agreed to help with the driving. I felt somewhat guilty for asking her to give up her entireSaturday to drive teenagers around, but by the end of the day she was insisting that I invite her the next time we planned something. She went on and on about how funny and respectful and appreciative and kind they all were. After that, she became “Grandma” to them.

Since then, we’ve had a couple more outings, and they’ve gone on to claim my niece as their cousin, my brother-in-law as their uncle, and my dad as their grandpa. One of the girls told me she thought it was cool how my family and I were so willing to “adopt” a bunch of teenagers, but I might be even more grateful that they didn’t give us a choice.

I’m glad God put me in this place. I’m glad he gave me a bunch of teenagers who test the limits of my car speakers, mix together ice cream flavors that should never be mixed, find humor in almost any situation, and voluntarily approach tattooed strangers in an attempt to embarrass me and/or find me a boyfriend.

Psalm 113:9 says, “He give the childless woman a family, making her a happy mother. Praise the Lord!” (NLT). Praise the Lord.

On a larger scale, we haven’t been able to do as much as we’d hoped with the teenagers at OCC this year. We haven’t had enough leaders, and the structure hasn’t worked out quite as we’d planned. Thankfully, we aren’t ultimately in control. Some weeks are hard, because being a teenager is hard, and actions and emotions don’t always make sense. Other weeks, we get to glimpse the mighty work God is doing in and through the students. My small group this year has been a constant, beautiful reminder to me that God knows what he’s doing, and he’s not through with OCC.

Working with the kids at OCC over the years has taught me a few things. First, the more a child is encouraged and made to know that he or she is supported and loved, the more that child will thrive. I had an idea several months ago to start an organization at Rollins College that connects our OCC participants with Rollins students and staff through letter writing. The purpose was simply to provide more opportunities for our kids to feel important and cared for on a weekly basis. The more our children are constantly aware of the concern of others for them, the more confident and sure of themselves they feel and the more receptive they are to the gospel.

The second thing I’ve learned is to never underestimate the power of a simple action. God can use the smallest deed to show someone His love. Currently, about 30 elementary-aged OCC participants have Rollins pen pals, whom they receive letters from on a consistent basis. This simple sentiment of care can truly brighten a child’s outlook and provide them with a new and positive perspective. I am consistently surprised by how much our kids respond to these notes of encouragement. Every week, they run up to me with a huge smile, asking if there is a letter waiting for them. It works the other way too. The Rollins students and staff involved in this program are blessed on a weekly basis by the resilience and joy of our children.

In a lot of ways OCC is about acting on God’s call. It’s about allowing God to bring his plan to fruition through you. God gives you a vision, and you do your absolute best to allow him to use you how He will. It’s hard to know how this pen pal program will affect people, but already, two Rollins students have attended OCC on a Saturday to meet their pen pals and in turn have also heard about the truth of God’s love and His redemptive plan for them. Numerous OCC kids have not only been shown love by people they have never even met, but also have been made aware of college as a goal to aspire to. For these reasons, letters will continue to be written and received at OCC on a weekly basis, in the hope and trust that one day it might lead to the salvation of even a single person.

Longtime volunteer, Janice Woody, shares reflections on serving alongside the O’Driscoll’s at OCC for the last decade: People, over time, are what the Lord uses to bring His will down from heaven on earth. There is something about taking one day at a time that protects us from being overwhelmed, discouraged, or reluctant. It would have been impossible to make a 10 year commitment to OCC and that was certainly never asked. Instead the Lord asked me to give Him my whole life for as long as I live.

I would never have picked a ministry on a Saturday morning to get involved in. There is a lot that goes on Saturday mornings. I have 3 boys and they were very much into baseball and their games were on Saturdays and of course a myriad of other things that happen on Saturday. God never asked me what was convenient or if there would be a better place for me to fit. I had a definite leading Saturday by Saturday to get up and go. I helped where I could and let God show me how to work out the rest. If He wanted me there He would have to work out the family and other things that press in.

The first thing to hit me was that the needs of the children were so great! I learned pretty quickly I could never meet the physical needs that were presented week after week. The Lord would have to show us what to do. He began to show me that He wanted me to teach. He then provided what He wanted me to teach and began using my mouth to speak His words to Saturday after Saturday. I can’t teach but Christ in me is amazing – even to me.

Janice serving at OCC in 2002.

Isabel and I drove to places where the kids lived. We started in vans and then a year or so later both Isabel and I got bus licenses. We met with their parents and were always amazed by the respect we were given as the “church ladies”. They wanted their children to go to church and had openness to God. The places were dangerous and at times I would have 911 dialed on my cell phone as I walked passed drug dealers standing in the parking lot. We were living in the prayers of people who Peter had shared the vision with. God’s hand was so obviously with us we could almost reach out and grab it.

I think if I were to pinpoint what was so intoxicating about those early years (and even now) it would be the presence of God. I had such an awareness of God with us I couldn’t wait until Saturday or to go visiting homes during the week. Hanging out so closely with God and actually enjoying His friendship/partnership week after week was what kept me engaged wholeheartedly. God asked me to get up every Saturday but didn’t leave me to myself. He was with me every step of the way in as real a way as Isabel or any other person. I know God in a way I could never know Him had I not ever set foot at OCC. He is teaching me how to love, how to teach, what to say. Of course I haven’t arrived and He is still teaching me but it is audible and real not a feeling or guess. God is serious about these children and He takes the lives that He is given and begins to transform them into the likeness of Christ because that is what the children need. They don’t need Janice Woody – they need Jesus Christ. God is in the business of using mere men and women to bring His love and His message to hurting people. He continues to draw me close and teach me, all the while chipping things out of my life that get in the way. I know that God and His relationship with me is what keeps me coming every week even now. I wouldn’t miss out on our special time together for anything!

One of the best things that has happened over the ten years is what the Lord has done in my family. My daughter came with me the very first day 10 years ago. She was 7 years old. She has been by my side for the last 10 years and has developed into a teacher with a passion for the Lord and for children. I have seen the Lord work in her life and have had the opportunity to watch the partnership and relationship she has with God develop and mature. I can’t express with words how grateful I am for what the Lord is doing in her life. But He didn’t stop there. My three boys also started to come whenever they weren’t playing sports and have now become regular leaders. I never wake anyone up on Saturday mornings and they all are there every week. My husband also has been supportive and comes whenever he can and helps however he can. God has brought our family together in ministry. We all have our own place inside of OCC to help and we all have our own experience with God being with us but it unites us in ways I could never have imagined. I am watching my children being mentored by Isabel and other Godly adults in OCC as well as by God Himself to be ministers and disciples. I didn’t know how to balance Saturday mornings and family and other commitments but God had a glorious plan. He didn’t tell me what He was going to do. He just asked me to be obedient to what He was asking me to do and then trust Him with the rest. Wow! This truly is more than I could ever have asked or dreamed!!

There are so many stories to tell about the children at OCC. I have developed many wonderful friendships and learned so much more from them than what I have ever taught them. My children also have made friends with so many of the OCC students as they have become a part of our lives. My kids have grown up with some of them as we have 9 or 10 year relationships with them. They come back to see us being 20 or 22 years old and it is wonderful to see them. It is not always one success story after another. These students face hard things and dangers in their lives that we can never imagine. Getting to tell them that God loves them and wants a relationship with them through Jesus Christ is a privilege that I am grateful to be afforded the opportunity to do. So many have grabbed onto the message and accepted Christ as their Savior. I wish that you could meet them all because there is such rejoicing in heaven over these little ones. Who here on earth can quantify all of eternity being changed for a few hundred kids?

“I used to live in those apartments,” nine-year-old Vanessa said pointing out the bus window as we rumbled by. “Well, I’ve lived in a lot of places, actually.”

She began ticking them off on her fingers as she listed them, “At Whispering Palms, we lived in Trailer #2, #22, #23, then our truck and then we moved to Green Meadows. Now our trailer is after four speedbumps and the fourth on the left.”

My heart broke as she matter-of-factly recounted her living arrangements which so casually included “our truck.” Not sure what to say, I tried to focus on the positive and answered, “Four and then fourth – that makes it easy to remember.”

“And then on the left.” She corrected me, clearly delighted that I was listening enough to remember where she lived now.

As I pondered her comments, grasping for the right thing to say, she continued happily on. I realized I didn’t have to say the “right thing” she was just thrilled to have someone who would listen. She chattered on about life and peppered me with questions about random things until we got to her stop. She gathered up her candy and handouts and an extra sandwich from breakfast and looked back at me with a last shy smile before she climbed down the bus steps with her arms full of OCC treasures.

Funny to think how intimidated I felt when I first climbed on the empty bus. But as it began to fill up, I offered a friendly smile and hello which elicited nods from the kids. If they seemed to get loud, I just walked over and sort of stood in the vicinity – asking a friendly question to engage them. By the end of the trip, they where chattering happily with me about their lives, their families, their favorite things. It was so easy – all I did was smile and listen.